Koenigsegg releases 1,500 hp Regera production model

Koenigsegg Automotive AB has released a production version of the Koenigsegg Regera. Since its introduction during the 2015 Geneva Auto Show as a concept car, it has undergone an extreme phase that consisted of development, testing, and certification to be sold worldwide.

According to the company, more than 3,000 changes were implemented during the development stage in order to make the production version. One of the biggest changes is the reduction in weight as it now only weighs 1,590 kilograms while dry weight stands at 1,470. While the Regera received positive response during the 2015 Geneva Auto Show, it was also during this time that it received a number of orders from customers.

The orders have since continued as the Koenigsegg family learns more about the philosophy and technology that goes behind the Regera.

So far, only Auto Motor and Sport magazine has tested the Regera and according to them it is indeed a game changer, especially with the fierce power that is not only efficient but easy to use as well. Though Koenigsegg is a small company, it has continued to be self-sufficient and vertically integrated as it remains focused on developing in-house solutions at its Ängelholm facility.

Many automakers, for example, buy some of the components in their vehicles like the brake calipers, wheels, engine, and even the transmission management systems. For Koenigsegg however, they do everything in-house, from designing, engineering, and finally building.

Even the mechanical drivetrain starting from the combustion engine up to the Direct Drive unit is made in-house. The advantage of doing this is that critical systems are flawlessly integrated and are continuously optimized, giving them a chance to reach levels that are otherwise not possible. The best example of this is the Regera’s hydraulic coupling. Also known as the "HydraCoup," it can give the needed slip but with less heat build-up as well as being able to maximize the torque conversion and the lock-up functionality.

While light, it is efficient and strong at the same time. In fact, it has the same weight as the Agera’s lightweight dry clutch. It also has aesthetic value as it has the appearance of a type of artisan jewellery. Koenigsegg knew that if it wanted maximum torque transfer while having low weight, it had to be done in-house as no such specifications were available on the market. Other solutions developed by the company include the new external high voltage DC charger, the lightweight and super-compact bespoke 800V DC/DC converter, and the smaller 800V AC compressor.

Many prototype cars that are converted to production ready version become heavier which makes the Regera unique as the production one is lighter compared to the concept version. Power is not the only important feature on the Regera as it also offers functionality and comfort. Its very own 'Autoskin' function for example makes use of a lightweight hydraulic system and enables the driver to remotely open not just the doors but also the front hood and the rear hood. The operation is managed through the buttons found on the center console or on the driver’s remote control key.

There are also extra compartments placed in front of the driver and the passenger where they can put in personal items like wallets or phones. When the doors open, the wing mirrors are folded automatically. This enhances the practicality of the dihedral synchrohelix door actuation system.

In addition, since the 'Autoskin' function allows doors to be opened automatically, proximity sensors were placed on the doors and even on the wing mirrors so that they are protected from hitting nearby objects especially when being opened or closed. The Regera already has cameras in the rear and the side door. However customers are now given the option to include a forward facing camera. This new camera works in conjunction with all the other cameras to give a bird’s eye view of the car which is important

Powertrain

The release of this production version is an important milestone for the company as it marks a new period in Megacar performance. One of the key features in the Regera is its Direct Drive system.

This system was considered as the biggest challenge in developing the Regera. The results prove that it also gave the biggest benefit. The patent of this new system is still pending but we know that it removes the complexity, weight, and the mechanical losses typically associated with the traditional gearbox.

As such, it offers effortless and smooth driving with acceleration unlike any other. Due to the number of improvements done to the different components of the system during the development phase, this made the Regera more ground-breaking than what was originally envisioned.

Even without the presence of a standard gearbox, the combustion engine can increase the power and revolution, giving the feel of a traditional downshift with the accompanying sound. This is made possible through a clutch-slip mechanism which utilizes hydraulic coupling to transform torque when running at medium speeds or high speeds during fast acceleration.

The shift paddles continue to be placed on both sides of the steering wheel. The right paddle is responsible for the 'downshift' operation of the hydraulic coupling while the left paddle improves the regenerative braking effect when recharging its battery pack. The battery technology is another important feature as the company made sure to have not only the best, but also the safest battery pack powering the Regera.

The 4.5 kWh battery pack can deliver 800 volts, meaning that the Regera is the first 800v production car in the world. In fact, it can generate a discharge of up to 525 kW and recharge of up to 200 kW. What makes this particular battery even better is that it has the highest coolest capacity unlike that of other battery packs.

Electric vehicle manufacturers generally have coolant pipes around its battery pack. What this does is to draw heat away from the batteries. However under this set-up, there are still areas that the pipes cannot reach. The battery pack in the Regera is configured differently.

Instead of piping, the entire battery pack is contained in a sealed unit that optimizes the local coolant by flooding it on all the critical heat-sensitive elements resulting in all of the critical surfaces around and within the battery stack to be cooled in the most efficient and effective way possible.

Another surprising characteristic of the battery pack is the weight. In order to make sure that the battery pack could deliver better performance and improved regenerative capability, hand-built Formula 1 grade cells were used. This means the actual weight stands at 90 kilograms, 25 kilograms lighter compared to the one inside the concept version.

Even with this weight, it can make the Regera go from 0 to 300 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Indeed the Koenigsegg Regera displays a new level of high performance motoring especially with the output of 1500+ hp and torque of 2000+ Nm, both of which are utilized efficiently by the Direct Drive system.

Acceleration wise, it was already mentioned that the Regera can go from 0 to 300 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Going from 0 to 100 km/h takes only 2.8 seconds while 0 to 200 km/h is possible at 6.6 seconds. The company estimates that it will take 20 seconds to go from 0 to 400 km/h.

Finally, acceleration starting from 150 to 250 km/h is just 3.9 seconds. Even with such a performance, the driving experience on the Regera remains to be unlike any other and is the most refined of a Koenigsegg car. The new active engine mounts give the interior a sense of peace while running at lower speeds but it firms up when more active driving is done.

Press Release

Koenigsegg Automotive AB is proud to unveil the Koenigsegg Regera in production specification, signaling a new era in Megacar performance

The Koenigsegg Regera was introduced in concept form at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show to a rousing reception. Numerous customer orders were received during the show and have continued at a steady pace as the wider Koenigsegg family learns about the all-new philosophy and technology behind the Regera.

The 12 months since Geneva 2015 has seen the Regera evolve from a promising concept into an astounding reality, with the car put through an intense period of development, testing and homologation for worldwide sale.

So extensive was this development period, in fact, that over 3,000 changes were made to the concept vehicle. The weight savings achieved resulted in a curb weight – complete with all water, oils and fuel – of just 1590kgs. Dry weight is 1470kgs.

KOENIGSEGG DIRECT DRIVE

The patent-pending Koenigsegg Direct Drive system was the biggest challenge in the Regera development process, but it has also provided the biggest rewards. This is brand new technology that eliminates the weight, complexity and mechanical losses that come with a traditional gearbox. The end result is seamless, effortless driving that features blistering acceleration unlike any other car.

A number of enhancements have been made to elements of the Direct Drive system throughout the development process, making the Regera even more revolutionary than first envisioned.

Koenigsegg has developed a clutch-slip mechanism that uses the hydraulic coupling to convert torque at medium/high speeds during fast acceleration. This allows the combustion engine to gain revs and power, thereby giving the sensation of a traditional downshift with the associated aural enjoyment, even without the traditional gearbox.

Shift paddles remain on either side of the steering wheel. The left paddle is used to enhance the regenerative braking effect in recharging the battery pack. The right paddle is used to activate the hydraulic coupling's 'downshift' operation.

EXTREME BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

Koenigsegg worked extremely hard to find the best performing and safest battery pack possible for the Regera. This research and testing has resulted in an 800 volt, 4.5kWh battery pack, making the Regera the world's first 800V production car.

This extreme battery technology will now provide an amazing 525kW of discharge and up to 200kW of recharge.

The Koenigsegg Regera battery pack also boasts the highest cooling capacity of any battery in automotive use today. All electric vehicle manufacturers use coolant piped around the battery pack to draw heat from the batteries. There is always an area that traditional cooling pipes cannot reach, however. The Regera battery pack is housed in a sealed unit featuring optimized local coolant flooding across all critical heat-sensitive elements. Every critical surface within and around the battery stack is cooled as efficiently as possible.

The pièce de résistance is the battery pack's weight. The battery pack used in the production Regera uses Formula 1 grade, hand built cells that not only provide improved performance and regenerative capability, but also save 25kg in weight compared to the battery in the concept vehicle. This new, Formula 1 grade battery pack now weighs a mere 90kg whilst providing enough power to help the Regera to accelerate to 300km/h in just 10.9 seconds.

A NEW BREED OF PERFORMANCE

The Koenigsegg Regera represents a new and unprecedented era of high performance motoring. This is thanks to the car's massive 1500+ hp output, 2000+ Nm of torque and the Koenigsegg Direct Drive system used to put this power to the ground.

The Regera will reach 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds, 0-200 in just 6.6 seconds and 0-300 in a blistering 10.9 seconds. Koenigsegg estimate a 0-400 km/h time of 20 seconds and acceleration from 150 to 250km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

Despite such scintillating performance, Regera owners can also expect the most refined driving experience yet from a Koenigsegg car. New active engine mounts provide a sense of isolation and peace within the cabin at lower speeds, but firm up for a more active driving experience when required – a true Jekyll and Hyde proposition.

Auto Motor and Sport was the first, and the only magazine so far, to test drive the Regera prototype. This is what they had to say:

"Power has never, and I say never, been this brutal, efficient and easy to use. This is a game changer of biblical proportions....... THE KING!"

NEW SOLUTIONS FROM IN-HOUSE RESEARCH

Although small, Koenigsegg has always been a remarkably self-sufficient and extremely vertically integrated vehicle producer focused on in-house solutions developed at the Koenigsegg facility in Ängelholm.

Components that all other manufacturers buy in such as, wheels, brake calipers, engine and transmission management systems are all designed, engineered and build in-house Koenigsegg. Similarly, the entire mechanical drivetrain from combustion engine to DirectDrive unit, is all created by Koenigsegg. The benefit of working this way is that critical systems get seamlessly integrated and continuously optimized over time, to levels otherwise unobtainable.

A shining example of the above is that the hydraulic coupling used in the Regera was is designed and developed completely in-house. The "HydraCoup" can provide slip with very limited heat build-up while maximizing torque conversion and lock-up functionality. It is light, strong and efficient, weighing no more than the lightweight dry clutch in the Agera. It also looks like a piece of artisan jewellery. The only way to reach the goals of low weight and maximum torque transfer was to do it in-house as nothing available in the market place came close to the required specification.

These solutions, along with a new external high voltage DC charger, smaller 800V AC compressor and a new super-compact bespoke and lightweight 800V DC/DC converter all mean that the production version of the Regera is significantly lighter than the prototype it is based on, which is highly unusual when progressing to production-ready materials.

COMFORT, CONVENIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The interior of the Regera features optimum comfort and functionality.

Koenigsegg's unique 'Autoskin' function allows the driver to open the doors and front and rear hoods remotely using a lightweight hydraulic system. Buttons for operation of 'Autoskin' are available both on the driver's remote control key and via the centre console inside the car.Additional compartments have been fitted in front of the driver and passenger, where personal items such as phones, wallets, etc can be stored.

The wing mirrors now fold automatically when the doors open to further increase the practicality of the dihedral synchrohelix door actuation system. Furthermore, as the Autoskin function allows for the doors to open automatically, we have fitted the doors and wing mirrors with proximity sensors in order to safeguard against the doors striking nearby objects (curb, low roof, etc) while opening or closing.

To complement the rear camera and the side door cameras, there is also the option of a forward facing camera that works together with the other cameras in the car to enable a birds-eye view of the of the car while parking or maneuvering in confined areas.

Apple CarPlay is standard equipment in the Regera and with Wi-Fi functionality, there is no longer any need to connect a phone via USB. Inductive charging ensures that an owner's phone remains ready for use once a journey has ended.

The seats now feature heating and electrical adjustment with memory function. All in all the Regera is truly a fusion of luxury, comfort and race car performance. Compromise is avoided at all cost. A sense of theatre, mega-performance, luxury and light weight are all in equal focus like never before.

CONCLUSION

Koenigsegg's vision has always been to find the best possible solution to a given challenge. Our enduring goal is maximum performance; the pursuit of automotive perfection. The Regera is the latest embodiment of that vision.

It is an extraordinary leap into the future of extreme high performance motoring. Whether it be a contest of performance or a contest of ideas, the Regera concedes nothing. It is a gracious grand tourer, a technical tour-de-force and of course, we still maintain that the only way to be faster around a racetrack than the Regera is to drive another Koenigsegg.

It is yet another car from Ängelholm to earn the Megacar moniker.

All new technologies developed by Koenigsegg have integrated seamlessly into the Regera to enhance the total experience and give our customers the best luxury performance car available for sale in the world today.

We are very much looking forward to sharing the Regera experience with the world over the coming months as we commence the build of customer cars in the immediate future and deliveries at the end of 2016.